Rangers, Hamilton Talk Two-Year Deal

5:43pm: GM Jon Daniels told reporters that the club has had productive talks with Hamilton and his agent, and the two sides are "moving in [the] direction of a deal" according to Jon Paul Morosi of FOX Sports and Anthony Andro of The Star Telegram (Twitterlinks).

4:52pm: Josh Hamilton and the Rangers have discussed a two-year deal, according to Evan Grant of the Dallas Morning News (on Twitter). Talks between the Rangers and the reigning AL MVP have been positive, though their submissions for Hamilton's 2011 salary were far apart. Texas offered $8.7MM, while Hamilton countered with a $12MM bid.

Hamilton earned $3.25MM last year in his first season as an arbitration eligible player; a two-year deal would buy out his remaining seasons of arbitration eligibility, but woludn't delay his free agency. Earlier in the offseason, NL MVP Joey Votto signed a three-year extension that covers his arbitration years without delaying his free agency.

Maybe not bad, time will tell. I have to think the Bruce thing is way too big a risk. And the Votto deal is just a head scratcher. I (sincerely) hope it works out for them but I just can’t get behind the Bruce or Votto moves.

The Bruce deal MAY end up being pretty darn good, but I just don’t get why the rush? He was locked up through the 2014 season as it was. At least they bought out 2 (maybe 3) years of free agency with that deal, but it seems like an early, unnecessary mover for a small market team.